Hello lovelies! It's Emma, your pink-tutu-clad time travelling ballerina blogger, bringing you another installment of my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History! Today we are whisking back to March 18th, 1834! Why, you ask? Well, it's a date that holds special significance for us ballet enthusiasts - the year the tutu truly began its journey from the stage to the world!
Picture it... Paris... 1834: It's the age of romanticism, where everyone's wearing a frothy cloud of a gown with impossibly high waists. The theatres are a kaleidoscope of beautiful, ethereal ladies swathed in silk and lace. They're enjoying the grand dramas of Shakespeare and the passionate narratives of plays, operas and ballets.
But a young, vivacious, and frankly brilliant dancer by the name of Marie Taglioni, a ballet sensation of the time, had other ideas! You see, ballerinas back then wore incredibly heavy, restricting gowns! Can you imagine dancing en pointe in that lot? It’s a wonder anyone managed to move at all! Marie wanted to showcase the fluidity of her movement and the beauty of the ballet steps, but she needed something more…well, less.
Marie, with her passion for dance, turned to the then head costume designer Charles-Frederick Worth. Imagine the excited chat! Marie wanting something elegant, graceful, and practical enough to show off her moves! Well, the talented Charles-Frederick Worth decided to give Marie's wish a go.
He took the conventional floor-length skirt of the time, cinched the waist with a tight belt, and – voila! – lifted the skirt to above the knees! It was, dare I say it, groundbreaking! It allowed for a movement we take for granted now - the pirouette!
Marie’s debut as La Sylphide in this revolutionary costume created a sensation! The critics were delighted and the audience were spellbound! Imagine the gasps! The cries of "magnificent!" The excitement! All this because a brave lady and a talented designer pushed boundaries! It was the start of a beautiful evolution for the ballet tutu and, dare I say, the dance world itself.
It was revolutionary. This new style meant ballerinas could twirl and leap and soar across the stage, the focus on the fluidity of movement! The skirt of the tutu evolved, eventually incorporating layers of tulle and lace. The dancers were lighter, their moves were more graceful. The art of ballet was pushed to a new level, thanks to a bold lady who wanted to show the beauty of her art form!
You're probably wondering, What does a modern ballerina like me have to do with a garment from almost two hundred years ago?
Firstly, there are still stunning versions of the original "La Sylphide" costume that ballerinas dance in to this day! There’s something awe-inspiring and deeply connected about wearing a costume that so many legendary dancers have worn.
Secondly, think of all the variations in tutu style that emerged thanks to the courage and creativity of the 1830s! The fluffy tutus in Swan Lake, the layered Romantic tutus that are so delicate and beautiful, and the iconic Paganini tutus that look like clouds! Each variation is unique and stunning!
Oh! And speaking of those fabulous tutus... Imagine shopping for tulle and lace, all those lovely ribbons and feathers! That's another reason to love history - fashion, oh my, the fashion!
It’s a history I can’t help but fall in love with each and every week.
And lastly, let's not forget the significance of the tutu beyond the dance floor. The tutu's symbolic value has resonated beyond ballet, and become a cultural icon in its own right! There's an elegance and fairytale quality to a tutu. It reminds us of imagination and possibility and brings out the little girl in all of us. It embodies that carefree spirit of a beautiful ballet.
If Marie could step back in time and see the thousands of girls who dance and twirl in tutus today, I'm sure she would be incredibly proud. Her decision in 1834 to take that leap of faith and revolutionise dance, changed everything.
As for me? My week's ballet schedule is crammed full of shows and performances - I simply can't resist the lure of the theatre! Next week I'm going to see the Paris Opera Ballet in a performance of the very first Romantic ballet. Oh la la - I’ll be back next Tuesday, ready to share the fashion of another beautiful date in tutu history!
So until next week, wear your pink tutus proudly, my dears! Remember, just like Marie, never be afraid to go against the norm, to create something new, and to embrace the joy of movement and beauty!
Bisous,
Emma xxx
